Spring-activated in-floor fitting

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include an in-floor fitting. The in-floor fitting includes a trim ring and an internal housing. The internal housing includes at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle and is configured to be positioned in an open position in which the at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned above a surface of a floor, and a closed position in which the at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned below a surface of the floor.

1. An in-floor fitting, comprising:
 a trim ring; and 
 an internal housing, said internal housing comprising at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle, said internal housing being configured to engage said trim ring such that said internal housing is positioned in an open position in which said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned above a surface of a floor, and a closed position in which said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned below said surface of said floor. 
 
   
   
     2. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising spring members, said spring members exerting a force against said internal housing to urge said internal housing into an open position. 
   
   
     3. The in-floor fitting of  claim 2 , further comprising a release tab slidably retained within a channel of said trim ring, and wherein said internal housing further comprises grooves that are engages by said release tab to retain said internal housing in said open and closed positions. 
   
   
     4. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of said internal housing is cupped and configured to receive and retain a flooring insert. 
   
   
     5. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle comprises a plurality of electrical receptacles. 
   
   
     6. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle comprises a plurality of communications receptacles. 
   
   
     7. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising a water-tight cover. 
   
   
     8. The in-floor fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising an intumescent insert. 
   
   
     9. An in-floor fitting, comprising:
 a trim ring including a release tab mounted thereto; and 
 an internal housing comprising first and second grooves and at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle, said internal housing being configured to be moved from a closed position in which said release tab releasably engages said first groove and said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned below a surface of a floor to an open position in which said release tab releasably engages said second groove and said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned above said surface of said floor. 
 
   
   
     10. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one spring member, said at least one spring member exerting a force against said internal housing to urge said internal housing from said closed position to said open position. 
   
   
     11. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said trim ring includes a channel, said channel slidably receiving said release tab such that said release tab may be moved relative to said internal housing within said channel to release said internal housing from said open and closed positions. 
   
   
     12. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said internal housing includes an upper surface, said upper surface being cupped and configured to receive and retain a flooring insert and that is substantially flush with said surface of said floor when said internal housing is in said closed position. 
   
   
     13. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , further comprising an intumescent insert. 
   
   
     14. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said release tab is moved out of said first groove such that said internal housing moves from said closed position toward said open position, said release tab moving into said second groove as said internal housing moves toward said open position to retain said internal housing in said open position. 
   
   
     15. The in-floor fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said release tab is moved out of said second groove when said internal housing is moved from said open position toward said closed position, said release tab moving into said first groove as said internal housing moves toward said closed position to retain said internal housing in said closed position. 
   
   
     16. An in-floor fitting, comprising:
 a trim ring including a release tab mounted thereto; 
 an intumescent insert receiving at least one biasing member; and 
 an internal housing comprising first and second locking grooves and at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle, said internal housing being configured to engage said biasing member such that said biasing member moves said internal housing from a closed position in which said release tab releasably engages said first groove and said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned below a surface of a floor to an open position in which said release tab releasably engages said second groove and said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle is positioned above said surface of said floor. 
 
   
   
     17. The in-floor fitting of  claim 16 , wherein when said internal housing includes an upper surface and when said internal housing is in said closed position, said upper surface is substantially flush with said surface of said floor. 
   
   
     18. The in-floor fitting of  claim 16 , wherein said biasing member is a spring. 
   
   
     19. The in-floor fitting of  claim 16 , wherein said trim ring includes a channel, said channel slidably receiving said release tab such that said release tab may be moved relative to said internal housing within said channel to release said internal housing from said open and closed positions. 
   
   
     20. The in-floor fitting of  claim 16 , wherein an audio/video (AV) connector is operatively connected to said at least one of an electrical and communication receptacle when said internal housing is in said open position.